Overview
ISO 10301:1997 - "Water quality - Determination of highly volatile halogenated hydrocarbons - Gas-chromatographic methods" specifies two gas‑chromatographic analytical methods for measuring highly volatile halogenated hydrocarbons in water. The standard covers both a liquid/liquid extraction procedure and a static headspace method, describes reagent and apparatus requirements, sampling and sample‑preparation procedures, calibration and identification, expression of results, precision data and reporting. Informative annexes provide compound characteristics, example chromatograms, microseparator design and method performance notes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Two validated methods
- Liquid/liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography (GC).
- Static headspace GC as a screening and routine technique (confirm with extraction when necessary).
- Detectors and columns
- Electron‑capture detector (ECD) is recommended; other suitable detectors allowed.
- Capillary columns with high separation power; guidance on stationary phases (nonpolar or semipolar), phase ratio and recommended column length (>30 m).
- Sampling and quality control
- Sampling per ISO 5667‑1 and ISO 5667‑2 to avoid losses of volatile compounds (no headspace, cooling, prompt extraction).
- Use of sodium thiosulfate to quench residual chlorine when needed.
- Follow analytical quality‑control guidance (ISO/TR 13530) for calibration and blanks.
- Reagents and standards
- High‑purity extraction solvents (e.g., pentane) free of chlorinated interferences; salts and drying agents (anhydrous Na2SO4, magnesium perchlorate) and preparation of stock, intermediate and working standard solutions are described.
- Procedure elements
- Detailed extraction, mixing, phase separation and microseparator handling.
- Calibration, identification and evaluation, limits of quantification (typical values provided in the standard tables), precision data and reporting requirements.
- Annexes
- Informative annexes (A–G) include characteristics of target compounds, chromatograms, microseparator example, detector sensitivity, extraction recovery and sampling tips.
Practical applications and users
ISO 10301:1997 is used for:
- Monitoring drinking water, ground water, surface waters (rivers, lakes), swimming pool water and many sewage/industrial effluents for volatile halogenated hydrocarbons.
- Regulatory compliance monitoring, environmental laboratories, water utilities, consultant laboratories, and industrial effluent testing.
- Screening via headspace GC and confirmatory analysis via liquid/liquid extraction GC.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 10301:1997, water quality, highly volatile halogenated hydrocarbons, gas chromatography, liquid/liquid extraction, static headspace, electron‑capture detector, sampling, analytical quality control.